by Jill Ragar Esfeld
jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
SHAWNEE — In celebration of Earth Day 2026, the Good Shepherd Parish community here rededicated its community garden.
Donna Cornett, caretaker of the garden, said, “The new name will be the Father Jim White Memorial Garden; Father played such an important part in our garden.”
Family members of Father Jim White, SJ, were in attendance, as pastor, Father Kent O’Connor, led the dedication and blessed the garden.
High school junior Anna Gast from American Heritage Girls Troop KS0138 earned her American Heritage Girls Stars and Stripes Award by creating a beautiful berm garden around the dedication plaque.
“[Father Jim] made a considerable impact on our community by always sharing the love of Jesus with everyone through the celebration of the Mass and his incredible homilies,” said Gast. “Something very special about Father Jim White is that he would always bring fresh eggs to sell from his chicken farm after the Masses.”
The garden dedication was followed by a celebration that included an opportunity to receive free seeds from the Kansas City Community Gardens and learn about gardening and composting from master gardener Jack Carson.
American Heritage Girls were on hand to help families decorate cookies, get temporary tattoos or a face painting.
The Good Shepherd community garden helps to support people who are food insecure by supplying local food pantries with fresh produce.
